Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) or its
variants (e.g., lymphoepithelioma or undifferentiated epidermoid carcinoma)

- Stage III or IV (M0) disease

- Must have had prior platinum/fluorouracil based initial induction chemotherapy (may
have included a taxane)

- Previously untreated disease prior to induction regimen

- Received 1-3 courses of chemotherapy and less than 7 weeks from the beginning of
the last course of induction therapy

- Evaluable disease during induction therapy required

- No prior head and neck carcinoma except if treated with surgery as sole modality at
least 2 years prior to study

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

- Greater than 3 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 3,000/mm^3 OR

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

- Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL (transfusion allowed)

Hepatic:

- SGOT less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Alkaline phosphatase less than 2.5 times ULN

- Bilirubin normal

- SGOT no greater than 2 times ULN

Renal:

- Not specified

Cardiovascular:

- No acute cardiac dysrhythmias or unstable cardiac condition (e.g., angina)

Other:

- No other concurrent malignancy within the past 3 years except curatively treated
limited basal or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

- Adequate and nutritionally balanced enteral intake (at least 1,800 kcal/day)

- No persistent diarrhea

- No peripheral neuropathy of any etiology greater than grade 2

- No other serious illness or medical condition

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 5 years since any other form of prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- Prior hormonal therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

- No prior radiotherapy for SCCHN

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

- Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy required prior to radiotherapy

Other:

- No IV alimentation as primary source of calories

- Completely recovered from prior diagnostic or therapeutic procedures